THE New Saints kept the pressure on leaders Llanelli, with a comfortable victory at Bala Town.
Despite only Steve Abbott’s 48th minute goal separating the sides, the Saints were totally dominant with the Lakesiders content to play second fiddle at Maes Tegid.
However a failure to convert chances meant the game was still in the balance, before Abbott turned in Scott Ruscoe’s 48th minute cross to break the deadlock.
Clear chances were sparse during the first-half, with referee Simon Evans ignoring penalty appeals after Abbott was fouled by Danny Jellicoe.
The goal gave TNS the lift they needed after the disappointment of the previous weekend’s Welsh Cup heartache, at the hands of Port Talbot Town.
Phil Baker side-footed against the post from a glorious position, while Chris Sharp lobbed against the bar as the wait for his first Saints goal continued.
With time running out John McKenna steered a shot wide, with an outstretched foot from Ruscoe’s cross as The New Saints ended strongly.
Spokesman Gordon Evans said: “We are taking each game as it comes and this was another vital three points.”